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The importance of thorough searches of the research literature Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, BCBA, LBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment There are numerous reasons why one might want to research a specific topic, intervention, or teaching protocol. Special educators may be searching for new teaching or intervention strategies to use in their classrooms. BCBAs…
David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Frank Cicero, PhD, BCBA, LBA Seton Hall University retraction NOUN 1. the action of drawing something back or back in. “The pilot retracted the airplane’s landing gear.” 2. a withdrawal of a statement, accusation, or undertaking. “The hospital retracted its job offer after learning…
Updated by: Frank Cicero, PhD, BCBA, LBA Seton Hall University Description Bleach therapy, also known as chlorine dioxide treatment, was originally marketed by former scientologist Jim Humble after he used chlorine dioxide as a water treatment solution on a gold mining expedition in South America in 1996. Chlorine dioxide is a type of bleach which…
Denys Brand, PhD University of Kansas In 1988, Van Houten and colleagues published an article in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis outlining six fundamental rights of individuals receiving services based on the principles of behavior analysis. One of these included the right to receive the most effective procedures available. There are several methods to…
By Eric Larsson, PhD, LP, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment A common practice in clinical research is to obtain norm-referenced, standardized assessments for pre- and post-testing. This practice should be employed only very cautiously for a variety of reasons. These reasons include basic experimental design concerns and the theoretical assumptions underlying the construction…
Written by Bob LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Associate Director of Behavioral and Research Services Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, Rutgers University & Amy Hansford, BA Autism is a complex disorder characterized by significant deficits in social reciprocity and communicative ability as well as the presence of repetitive behavior/restricted interests. Given the heterogeneous nature of autism, many interventions…
David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D and Avi Jaiswal, Extern Association for Science in Autism Treatment Feeling Overwhelmed by the Hundreds of Autism Treatment Options? You’re not alone. Many parents and even practitioners often feel this way. With more than 500 different autism treatments available, choosing the right one can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if your…
First published in 2012, this article was included in our From the Archives series for its continued relevance. It was minimally updated in November 2025. Written by David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D and Denise Lorelli, MS, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment Yes, sadly it could happen. With 500+ purported treatments for autism, there is…
Updated by: Catherine McHugh, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, Atlas Autism Health Research on dietary interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has evolved over the last few decades reflecting both growing scientific interest and continued demand from consumers seeking complementary treatment options. With an increasingly wide array of diets proposed to influence core and associated symptoms of…
Updated by: Harshita Nekkanti (Extern) and Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment Description Secretin is a naturally occurring peptide hormone produced by the small intestine. Its main physiological role is to stimulate the pancreas to release bicarbonate-rich fluid, which neutralizes gastric acid entering from the stomach and helps regulate…
Updated by: David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D, Skye Nelson, MA, BCBA, and Eric Larsson, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Description: Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) is a treatment program proposed for autism spectrum disorders. Proponents of the intervention claim that this model is “based on the latest scientific research into the human brain” and…